Eotaet engine



f Model I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. F. LASH.

ROTARY ENGINE.

No. 269,300. Patented Dec.19, 1882.

WITNESSES: I I INVBNT B.

. ATTORNEYS.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' J. P. LASH.

ROTARY ENGINE.

No. 269,300. Patented De0.19,1882.

Figrr I WITNESSES: E-

. TTORNE UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN F. LASH, OFHAMILTON, ONTARIO, ASSIGNOR To WILLIAM NICHOLAS MILLER, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,300, dated December 19, 1882.

' Application filed May 9, [882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it' known that 1, JOHN F. LASH, of Hamilton, in the county of Wentworth and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear. and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make [0 and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved rotary engine. Fig. 2 is a side view,

the side of the frame and casing having been removed. Fig. 3 is a view of the side of the casing. Fig. 4 is a Vertical sectional view. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view.

. Fig. 6 is a view of one of the piston-plates detached; and Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view,

illustrating, on a larger scale, the packing between the frame and the sides of the revolving casing.

Corresponding parts in the several figures 2 5 are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to rotary engines or motors to be driven by steam, water, gas, or

fluid pressure of any suitable kind; and it consists in certain improvements in the con- 0 struotion of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed, Arepresents the bed or frame, upon which 3 5 the cylinder B is supported by lugs 0, formed upon the sides of the latter.

Formed in the cylinder B is a cam-shaped chamber, D, the construction of which is as follows: The upper and lower parts, E F, of

0 the walls of said chamber are quadrants of two concentric circles of unequal diameter.,

The sides G G are arcs or curves joining the ends of the quadrants E F, and of such a nature that a line drawn through the common 5 center H and intersecting the sides G at any point shall be equal in length to a line drawn through the center and intersecting the quadrants E F.

I J are channels for the entrance and exit of the steam or fluid by which the engine is to be driven. The outer ports or openings, K, of these channels are placed closely together on the upper side of the cylinder. from whence the said channels are bored or formed divergently, as shown, so as to enter the chamber D at-thejuncture of the upper side, E. with the sides G G. The latter are provided with grooves L, forming continuations of the steamchannels; or the latter may be extended to the ends of the lower side, F, of the chamber, and the sides G provided with perforations extending to the channels. The former construction, however, is more simple, and therefore preferable.

M is a cylindrical drum, located in the chamher D, and havinga diameter equal to that of which the upper, smaller quadrant, E, in said chamber forms part. The ends of the drum M are fitted in circular grooves N in the sides 0 O of the casing, which said sides are connected by bolts P, passing through said drum, thus connecting the parts firmly and forming very tight joints. The sides 0 0 have stub axles or shafts Q, which are mounted insuitable boxes or bearings, R, in the bedframe 7 5 of the machine in such a manner that the drum shall be concentric with the quadrants E F and. bear tightly against the former.

The sides 0 O of the casing are provided with grooves S S upon their inner sides at right angles to each other to afford bearings for the sliding pistonplates T T, for the passage of which slots U are also provided in the drum M. Said piston-plates have recesses V in their inner adjoining sides, enabling them to be placed together at right angles, as shown, and slide radially independently of each other.

The piston-plates are to be of a length equal to a line drawn through the center H between the sides of chamber D, so that the ends of said plates, which may be provided with suitable packing, shall fitsnugly against said sides.

To prevent the steam orfluid from escaping between the ends of cylinder B and the sides 0 O, I interpose packing, the construction and 5 arrangement of which is as follows:

Formed in the ends of the cylinder are annular grooves W, concentric with the center El, and provided each with an annular recess, X, in which sockets Y are formed, suitable distances apart, to receive coiled springs Z, serving to force in an outward direction a ring, A, which is seated loosely in the recess X. The ring A is riveted or otherwise secured to the inner side of a broad ring, B, of leather, india-rubber, or other suitable material, seated in the groove W, and held by metallic rings or bands 0 C and screws D,passing through the same into the solid wall of the cylinder.

Secured to the outer side of the ring B, be-

tween the bands 0, is the packing-ring E,

which may be of brass, Babbitt metal, or other suitable material, and having its outer side or face ground true to bear against the sides 0 0, against which it is forced by the springs Z. F is a suitably-located oil-cup, communieating by a channel, G, with the recess X, which may thus be filled with oil or lubricating material. Perforations H extend through the rings A, B, and E, through which the oil is fed to the friction-surface of the latter ring, E.

At the top of the cylinder. B, and covering the ports K, is to be arranged a stearn'chest,

I, having steam-port L and exhaust-port J,

and containing a suitable slide-valve, M, whereby either of the ports K may be connected with the exhaust-port while the other is open for the admission of steam.

The operation of my invention is as follows: When steam enters the chamber D through the channel I it expands through the groove L until it strikes the piston-plate, which is at the time in contact with the lower quadrant, F, of the casing. Upon this piston the pressure is exerted, causing the drum to revolve until the piston reaches the side Gr, at which point the exhaust commences to take place through the groove L. In the meantime the next piston-plate reaches the quadrant F, and the operation continues. It will be observed that there is no pressure upon the piston-plates until they reach the quadrant F, at which point they cease to slide in their respective grooves, thus avoiding friction. The piston-plates, being firmly braced between the sides of the revolving drum, have no tendency to yield or spring, and the machine is consequently very strong and durable.

To reverse the engineit is only necessary to reverse the position of the valve1VI,when steam is instantly admitted through channel J and exhausted through I. One of the piston-plates is always in contact with quadrant F. The machine may therefore be reversed at any point, and there is no dead-point.

Having thus described my invention,Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- The cylinder B, having-grooves W, recesses X, and sockets Y, springs Z, flexible ring B, having rigid rings A E, with perforations H, and the bands 0, in combination with the oilcup F and channel G, communicating with the recess X, and the revolving drum M, having sides 0, between which and the cylinder a self-lubricating steam-tight joint is thus formed, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN 1 LASH. 

